A new study has found that adding just four teaspoons of olive oil could cut heart attack risk in adults after just six weeks. Read on to learn more about the research.

For the study, researchers added just four teaspoons of olive oil to the diet of healthy adults. Four teaspoons is roughly how much olive oil is used in a salad dressing or for dunking bread in olive oil at dinner.

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The researchers used a new diagnostic technology to study the impact of the olive oil on the subjects by testing their urine. Scientists can use urine to detect signs of coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease and diabetes.

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The scientists found that signs of heart disease in the urine began to lessen in only six weeks.

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The researchers are optimistic that this kind of technology could lead to earlier detection of all sorts of disorders. "If we are able to identify the early signatures of diseases before they have had a chance to take hold we can start to treat them before they become a problem requiring costly medical intervention," explained Dr. Bill Mullen, of the Institute of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences. "It is the first time this technique has been applied from a nutritional perspective to try to get to the bottom of which food or what ingredient is truly responsible for health benefits."

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Olive oil has long been touted as a heart-healthy fat. As a staple in the Mediterranean diet, olive oil has been found to extend life expectancy and lower risk of high blood pressure and stroke. A new study has found that adding just a little bit of olive oil to the diet of adults managed to reduce the risk of heart attack in only six weeks.

Check out the slideshow above to learn how just a little bit of olive oil can reduce the risk of heart attacks in adults.